I am in the process of changing out some rugs in my house right now so this guest post from John at Bold Rugs could not have come at a more perfect time. This is always a question I ask myself when shopping for a new area rug:
Area Rugs – Match or Contrast with Your Room Colors?
Nice contemporary style area rug
When you’re trying to choose area rugs for a particular room in your home, it can sometimes be tough to know where to begin. With all the choices in color, style, and texture out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. One tried and true method of choosing area rugs that will always look appropriate is to choose either rugs that match your room’s colors or contrast with the room’s colors.
There are plenty of arguments to either side about whether to choose matching or contrasting area rugs. If you like design and prefer a stylish flair to your home, contrasting area rugs are probably the way to go for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a style that’s simple, easy, and clean, matching area rugs are probably a better bet for your home.
In order to help you choose, and to give you some options to think about, we’ve compiled a number of arguments in favor of either side – matching or contrasting. Keep reading to find out which of the ideas might suit you and your room’s colors the best!
Why you should choose matching area rugs:
Create a sense of symmetry with area rugs.
Provides a sense of symmetry.
Matching rugs will help a room feel completely pulled together. When guests enter your room, they’ll be able to make a visual connection between the colors on the wall and those on the floor. It’s an added touch than instantly makes anyone in the room feel comfortable and at ease. This is an especially nice touch if your flooring is already in a contrasting color to those used on the walls.
It’s easy!
Honestly, finding a rug to match your room’s colors is always easier than spending time trying to create contrast. Picking a rug or area rugs that match what you already have takes out a lot of the effort. To keep things from feeling overly matchy-matchy, try to pick a rug that pulls out one of the room’s more subtle or accent colors. Red walls and a red rug will feel claustrophobic, but if you’re got accents of khaki or another neutral in the room, a matching neutral rug will feel right at home.
You can use more.
Contrasting rugs are about creating a statement. Matching rugs are about providing function and completing a look. With that in mind, choosing matching rugs means you can pick more than just one. You can pick a couple of area rugs in varying shades of the room’s colors or use three in a row in the same color to help that tone really pop.
Why you should choose contrasting area rugs:
Use solid color area rugs to create contrast in your room.
Look like a design whiz with no effort at all!
Contrast is what often separates the amateur home decorator from a pro. But contrast is hard. It’s tough to know the difference between when you’ve got it right and when it’s gone completely overboard. Pick a few area rugs that are on the opposite side of the color wheel from your room’s existing décor and you’ll be well on your way to creating contrast.
Break up the look of a room.
Contrast is all about providing an alternative to the rest of the space. If you’ve got your room all together and you’re finding it looks a bit too matchy-matchy, a contrasting area rug can be the perfect solution. A fun way to do this is by picking something unexpected like a cozy shag rug that invites guests to relax and kick back (perfect in an otherwise formal-looking space) or a classic Oriental rug in a room where the furniture and décor are pretty casual. Design whiz, remember?
Highlight a particular piece of furniture or artwork.
A contrasting rug can give that needed sense of “Hey, come check this out!” especially if what you want to show off isn’t something that would shout its presence from the roof tops. A patterned rug in a contrasting tone from the colors used in the rest of the room will help create a focal point. Imaging placing an oversized zebra print rug under a black baby grand piano. That’s the kind “a-ha!” moment a contrasting rug can create.
Author: John James, Marketing expert at Bold Rugs – contemporary area rugs store with thousands of designs to choose from!
I had such a hard time with this last year when I bought two new area rugs when we put in the hardwoods. I went matchy in one room and contrast in the other. Now, I don’t like either of them! Go figure!
Thank you for sharing this very informative post. I also thought the same, that matching rugs are even easier than contrasting them. I am not so good in color choices that is why i always ask for my boyfriends suggestion. Now, for his case he likes contrasting the color of the rugs and my interior paint. I kinda like it! Actually, i love it! It’s nice to explore on other things and be creative too. However, if you can’t figure out what color and design that would be in great contrast for the interior of your housem, then it’s best to just match it! It’s actually an intelligent decision.